# NTSB NYC83FA189: Robinson R22, N9066P, Canton, PA, July 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1983, 12:12 local (16:12 UTC)
- Place: Canton, PA
- Coordinates: 41.650535, -76.849189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6505&lon=-76.8492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA189

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - fatigue (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A POWER LINE PATROL FLT, ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEPARATED & THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. NUMEROUS PERSONS SAW THE HELICOPTER WHILE THE PLT WAS PATROLLING AT LOW ALT. SEVERAL REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT MANEUVER ABRUPTLY OVER OBTACLES. ALSO, SEVERAL WITNESSES SAW THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ONE SAID THE HELICOPTER WOBBLED OR TILTED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT & ALMOST IMMEDIATELY EXPLODED IN THE AIR. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SEPARATED MAIN ROTOR BLADE PN A-016-1, A REVISION W BLADE, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE ABOUT 8 1/4 INCHES OUTBOARD OF THE SPINDLE BOLT CENTERLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9066P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R22
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Muth Aircraft Company
- Departed: IPT1, WILLIAMSPORT, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,072 total, 100 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 131 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830722034479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830722034479A), Jul 22, 1983: Robsin R22, Canton, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. A main rotor blade separated from the helicopter on powerline patrol. Found fatigue cracking from spar attach bolt.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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